Oilers GM Ken Holland making a major decision on goaltending
The Edmonton Oilers came into this season with hopes of contending for the Stanley Cup, and after a horrible start to the season seemed to stunt their playoff chances, the team has rallied all the way back to being in playoff contention again. After sending Jack Campbell to the minors and hiring coach Kris Knoblauch, the team has played much more consistently and has been able to get saves from Stuart Skinner.
Now, the Oilers are beginning to look at how they could improve the team at the trade deadline. It's easy to predict the Oilers would be looking for a starting goalie via trade, but the market isn't been kind to buyers at the moment. Instead, GM Ken Holland is reportedly looking at an internal option for goalie and trying to add to the team's already lethal offence.
Several Oilers insiders have begun hinting that the team will call up goaltender Olivier Rodrigue from the minors this January. At age 23 and a second round draft pick of the Oilers in 2018, Rodrigue has been stellar in the AHL. In 11 games this season, he's posted a 5-2-3 record with an incredible 2.25 GAA and .932 save percentage. Calling up Rodrigue in January would give the Oilers time to evaluate his game, before they decide to make a trade for another goalie. Clearly as well, Jack Campbell isn't even being considered for a call up to the NHL at all.
Additionally, the front office seem to have pivoted from their original trade deadline plans. If a goaltender is too expensive to acquire elsewhere, they can call up Rodrigue, and try to add their already strong offence - and keep out scoring their problems. Yesterday, the Oilers were connected to star forward Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who would only cost a first round draft pick and prospect to acquire.
Now the watch is officially on Ken Holland to see if he can piece together just the right roster moves to allow the Oilers to live up to their potential.
| POLL | ||
What should the Oilers do at the trade deadline? | ||
| Trade for a starting goalie | 226 | 54.2 % |
| Trade for a high end forward | 59 | 14.1 % |
| Trade for defence | 84 | 20.1 % |
| Sell assets, they're not making the playoffs | 48 | 11.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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